Getting randomized miniatures from online boosters- Get real

[Meloncov]

Or they could use a 3D scanner on a finished, physical miniature to achieve the same effect.

That proably wouldn't work with today's technology; 3D scanners output digital models with obscene polygon counts, far more than most computers can handle. They may virtualize the 3D by having each mini be a single polygon with an image of the mini from that angle on it (with the image changing as the camera moves) but that would prevent any editing of the model like what appears to be possible in that character editor.

Also, CAD files for the minis would also be too big for most computers to handle. In a real life mini, you can have quite a lot of detail in the sculpt but not much in the paint job. In a virtual table top, you can have a very detailed "paint job" but a detailed sculpt will grind most computers to a hault.

So it would be a significent expese, but their is a reason we're paying a subscription fee. At the minimum, they should provide all the monster manual minis and the ability to import models from third party/fan created sources.

 

[Simplicity]

If WotC wants to charge a one time upfront fee for getting access to the MM minis, I can swallow that. But randomized digitial mini packs is totally ridiculous.

I think everyone agrees about that.

 

[Nikosandros]

I think everyone agrees about that.

But does WotC?

 

[Osgood]

I'm not very happy about the notion of randomized e-miniatures. I've been pretty exited about 4E, largely because of the digital gaming table. My group saw some guys with a digital projector set up playing in the hotel lobby at Gen Con, and we started talking about getting a set up like this to use the digital gaming table around the real gaming table. I've been championing DDI to my group for this very reason... now I'm not so sure.

I can understand that they won't have every creature in the MM available... they create the digital minis based on actual sculpts from their miniature line, I'm sure. I understand charging a nominal fee for digital versions of the physical books you purchase, so I would be on-board with buying a pack of DDM, then paying a reasonable fee to get digital versions of every miniture in that set, but there is NO way I am buying random e-mini packs.

One of the things that was mentioned at Gen Con that got me really exited was that modules would have a code that you can log in to DDI and have a ready-made version for the digital table. But now its sounding more like I'd have to buy the module, then pay to have the e-version, but if I don't happen to own say the beholder mini, when my group faces the beholder I'll have a dire squirrel or whatever lame large-size mini I happen to have subbing... or perhaps just a box that says "beholder." Weak.

4E still looks good to me, but DDI is rapidly loosing its luster. You want the $10 monthly fee, then give me something that makes it more appealing than WoW.

 

[Grog]

Do you think the World of Warcraft has enough enemy models in it to make you happy? They charge a much larger monthly fee, and they probably have fewer enemy models than there are entries in the Monster Manual I.

WoW costs $15/month as opposed to $10/month for D&DI. That's not a much larger fee.

And I would bet that WoW has several hundred enemy models, at least.

 

[Imaro]

WoW costs $15/month as opposed to $10/month for D&DI. That's not a much larger fee.

And I would bet that WoW has several hundred enemy models, at least.

Actually it might be smaller than you think...the 9.95 price isn't set, this is from the WotC website and dated 9/05/07

Q: Dear Ask Wizards
What is the subscription price for D&D Insider?

A: A final monthly subscription price has not yet been announced. At Gen Con, we did state that the price would fall somewhere between the cost of a single print issue of Dragon magazine and the monthly fee of a MMORPG (in other words, between $10 and $15).

With this subscription, users will have access to both online Dragon and Dungeon magazines, as well as the online suite of tools (D&D Gaming Table, Character Creator, DM Toolkit, plus the Character and Campaign Vault pages). Some of these tools were first previewed at Gen Con, others have yet to be introduced. More information will be provided on this website in the days to come.

 

[Simplicity]

And I would bet that WoW has several hundred enemy models, at least.

I think you'd lose that bet. Unless you're counting things like: Wolf. Bigger wolf. Even Bigger Wolf. Even then, I'm not sure they reach the several hundreds.

if there were 20 unique creatures per area (very generous)
20 areas or so.
And no duplicates (Ha!)
You'd only have 400 monsters.

 

[KingCrab]

WotC is treading on dangerous ground here.

 

[Plane Sailing]

If the Digital Initiative doesn't give the DM the monsters he needs to use (according to the MM which he owns, or the WotC adventure that he owns, say), it is a deal breaker for me. I won't be using it.

 

[Michael Morris]

If the Digital Initiative doesn't give the DM the monsters he needs to use (according to the MM which he owns, or the WotC adventure that he owns, say), it is a deal breaker for me. I won't be using it.

I guess I'll have to build one. It won't be as pretty though.